England captain Ben Stokes has urged his team not to give up as they clean sweep the series against world Test champions New Zealand at Headingley. The hosts are 2-0 up in the three-match campaign after victories at Lord’s and Trent Bridge that were a testament to the attacking approach of the new leadership pair of Stokes and red-ball coach Brendon McCullum.
Both men are attempting to turn the tide for England after a disappointing period during which they won just one Test at 17 before facing the Black Caps.
With Jonny Bairstow (136) and Stokes (75 not out) making light of a potentially difficult target of 299 in Nottingham, England won the series in style.
Now all-rounder Stokes, ready to play after missing training on Tuesday after feeling unwell, is looking for the same.
“I’ve told the players this week, let’s try and think we’re in the entertainment business rather than the sports business,” he said at a news conference on the eve of the match at Headingley on Wednesday.
“There is a reason why 20,000 people came out to see us at Trent Bridge last week. So I challenged the team to be more fearless, positive and aggressive than last week.
New Zealand captain Kane Williamson was a helpless spectator in Nottingham after missing the match and being confined in his hotel room after testing positive for Covid-19.
‘big picture’
“I watched it so much, I had nothing else to do,” Williamson said.
“I don’t yell at TV, I watch and watch. It’s always interesting to see it from a different perspective, although it wasn’t my favorite place. It was a little interesting to watch and connect from the other side.
“England is a strong side that is playing well so for us it is about improving as a side, the bigger picture… the focus is on us and wanting to get better.”
Get all the latest updates cricket news, cricket pictures, cricket videos And cricket score Here